Stidham's Stock is Soaring

Jeremy Clark

07/16/2013

Stephenville, Texas 2015 quarterback Jarrett Stidham has only thrown three passes at the varsity level. But, that hasn't stopped programs from offering the rising prospect.

Stephenville, TX has a rich history of sending quarterbacks to the next level. It started about the time current Baylor head coach Art Briles was coaching the Yellow Jackets in the early 90's. Since that time Stephenville has produced names such as Branndon Stewart, Kelan Luker , Kevin Kolb, Jevan Snead and most recently Tyler Jones.

Next up for the Yellow Jackets is an unproven starter, but that hasn't stopped programs from offering the rising gunslinger. Hoping to continue the successful history of Jacket quarterbacks is 2015 prospect Jarrett Stidham.

At 6-foot-3, 190-pounds, Stidham possesses a rocket-arm with 4.6 speed. He used that speed as a sophomore while playing receiver for Stephenville racking up over 800 receiving yards with 12 scores; earning him district 6-3A Newcomer of the Year honors. He also caught two touchdowns in Stephenville's 70-35 state championship win over El Campo.

Now, it's his turn to deliver the passes since Jones has graduated and is currently a freshman at Texas State. Stidham has patiently waited for the opportunity.

"Quarterback has always been my first love, last year I played receiver for the better of the team," he said. "I could've played J.V. quarterback, but I just wanted to do what's best for the team. Playing quarterback is definitely something I'm pumped up about."

Stidham says playing receiver not only gave him an opportunity to play varsity as a sophomore, it also helped with reading different defensive schemes.

"It helped tremendously. As a receiver you get to understand how the corners are going to play you and at the same time I get to help out the new guys that are out there," he said."

As previously mentioned, although Stidham has very little varsity experience at quarterback, his stock continues to soar. He already holds offers from Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Baylor and Kentucky after strong camp performances. The offers caught Stidham a little by surprise, but he definitely appreciates the fact he's receiving them.

"I wasn't really sure honestly, I was just going to the camps to have fun and do my thing," Stidham said of his thoughts on receiving early offers. "If I ended up getting an offer that would be great. My goal coming into the summer was to have one offer by the end of it and right now I have five. I didn't really expect it honestly, it's kind of surreal but I'm not complaining about it."

TCU is the closest school to Stephenville, sitting just over an hour's drive. There is some familiarity with TCU as Stidham's quarterback coach is Greg Winder, son of former TCU quarterbacks coach Dick Winder. Stidham hasn't heard much from the Frogs, but admits it's a program he'd like to hear more from.

"I haven't talked to TCU, I was going to go to one of their camps earlier this summer but I went out of town somewhere," he said. "I haven't heard too much from them. I want to hear more from them. Now that they're in the Big 12 I want them to talk to me more, but if they don't, they don't. It's definitely someone I would be interested in, I like their offense and the scheme of things."

The start of the 2013 season is just a few weeks away and all eyes will be watching what Stidham does on the gridiron in his first year as a starter. Especially residents in Stephenville, where fans are hoping to put him in the category of great quarterbacks.

Stidham knows there will be pressure, but he's ready for the challenge.

"I guess there is (pressure), but to me and the coaches and the guys around me they're just ready for the season to get here and whatever happens, happens," Stidham said. "Either way they're going to be proud of me. There is a little bit of pressure, but I don't think about it too much."